Pin setting apparatus for bowling alleys



April 11, 1944. G. J. SCHMIDT I 2,346,189

PIN SETTING APPARATUS FOR BWLING ALLEYS -INVENTO R GoTTFmEo 5CH w1' BYATTOBNEY G. J. SCHMIDT PIN SETTINGy APPARA April 11, 1944.

TUS FOR BOWLING ALLEYS.

Filed June. 26, 1941 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 Eg 4Q .54 470 363 .502 J70 Hg.jfl. f77 7775 55.754353 /76 L 277e o [el 0-v 4.95

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PIN SETTING APPARA-TUS FOR BOWLING ALLEYS Filed June 26, 1941 l2Shekets-.Sheet 4 362 403 365 @ff am 2]] 206 20.9 2/3 zza dye/af 2M lf2,

INVENTOR; GOTTFRIEQ 1' April 11, 1944., G. J. SCHMIDT PIN SETTINGAPPARATUS FOR BOWLING ALLEYS Filed June 26, 1941 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 April11,1944.

G. J. sc HMlD'r 2,346,189 PI SE'MIIIGr- 'APPARATUS FOR BOWLING ALLEYSFiled J unev 26, 1941 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 l-i F 6 I INVENTOR April l1,1944. G. J. scHMlD-r 2,346,189

PIN SETTING APPARATUS FOR BOWLING ALLEYS Filed June 26, 1941 12Sheets-Sheet 7 fwn/f INVENTOR veen' meu .1.5 Murr BY W v Y A TORNEYApril 1l, 1944. G. J. SCHMIDT PIN SETTING APPARATUS FOR BOWLING ALLEYS IFiled June 26, 1941 l2 Sheets-Shea?l 8 INVENTOR- April 11, 1944' G. J.SCHMIDT 2,346,189

PIN SETTING APPARATUS FOR BOWLING ALLEIYSl Filed June 26, 1941 l2Sheets-Sheet 9 ,FB-vzzl 203 W 251 231.! 22 -'^22? l5 208 212 s f-j 217219 56 13 214 150 217 '5 314 325 87 227 R/193 159" 226 l El l," wl j; 165 310 '326 il 324 .313. 1 o 22 82 agi 6 221 6 y j?? 7' 669 21 l 317 Q31H22@ 239 o 3 5 w 3 0 70'224 225 I o V 16' 32 319 124 500 34.62 j g3g@-301 2 .744 346 343 126 l 343 295 131 333` INVENTOR GOTTFRED JSCH IDT BYATL NEY.

April 11, 1944- G. J. SCHMIDT 2,346,1894

PIN SETTING APPARATUS FOR BOWLING ALLEYS INVEN-ron GOTTFRIED J- SCHMIDTBY i , 'rToNl-:y

vAlilil 11, 1944- G. J. SCHMIDT 2,346,189

PIN SETTlNG APPARATUS FOR BOWLING ALLEYS' Filed June 26, 1941 12Sheets-Sheet 11 127119. 25.

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' A 369 368 :fil 92N .aaa 589 40 i NvENToR GOTTFRIED J. SCHNHDT ATTORNEYApril 11, 1944. G. J. SCHMIDT 2,346,189

PIN SETTING APPARATUS FOR BOWLING ALLEYS Filed June 26, 1941 l2Sheets-Sheet l2 421s 429 45a 451 432; 433 ffz'4 405 401,2;421 411, 4294% 43a 4.12 43x ,420, we 40.5; 453

INVENTOR GOTTFRIEO J. SH \DT AT Y wav Patented Apr. 1.1, 1944 PrNSETTING n 2,346,189 APPARATUS Foa BOWLING ALLEYs Gottfried J. Schmidt,Pearl River, N. .Y assigner to Bowling Patents Management Corporation, la corporationl of New York Application June 26, .1941, Serial No.399,815

(c1. 27s-4s) 106 Claims.

My invention relates to pin setting apparatus for bowling alleys, and isa continuation in part of my application for Pin setting apparatus forbowling alleys,4 Serial No. 204,995, filed April 29, 1938.

An important object of the present invention K(is that of providing pinelevating and conveying means for the pit which will be compact and tinto the strictly limited and inflexible space requirements of theaverage alley pit now in use. Thus there is often insuicient spacebehind the bumper board in which to elevate the ball and` it is anobject of one form of the invention to permit lifting and conveying'ofthe balls in particular and preferably the pins also in front of thebumper while using the limited space behind the bumper to receive partofthe means for elevating the narrower pins.' The foregoing is'especially desirable when the pin spotter is to be applied to an oldalley in which the pit abuts a wall and in which the distance in back ofthe bumper may be less than one foot. Under such circumstances, sincespace over the pit in front of the bumper is much needed for the pitelevator and its operating means and for the pit magazine and pittransfers and because it is important in many installations to limit theheight to average room height, i. e., eight feet, it is an object of theinvention touse the-limited space behind the bumper for the pin handlingand conveying means and to use the space over l the bumper for the balland pin separating and for initiating the return of the ball.

A principal objectcf the invention is to provide reliable, rapid andcompact means for gathering up the fallen pins and ball, separate theball from the pins, return the ball, and place the pins in a magazinewhich shall at all times hold a suiiiciency of pins for playing Purposes(generally ten) ready for transfer to the pin setter so that there willbe no possibility of less than the usual number being set for play.

Another object is to provide that the supply.

for playing be in uniform position and arrangement in the magazine aftersuccessive cycles of operation in order that the transferring of suchpins to th'e setter may be made reliable;

Still another object is to provide for arranging the pins in uniformvertical and inverted position and for transferring the pins in invertedposition, preferably sus nded from one end to a spotter adapted to revethe suspended pins.

"Because pins Vhave heir greatest transverse dimension at the bellyportion which when the pin is inverted is Well above the center ofgravity, by means spaced Ka little less thanthe diameterof the pins, itis possible to handle the pins in uniform position, by relatively simpleand reliableamechanism and it is anobject of the inventionv to providepin handling mechanism operating in this manner.

Another object is to provide improved transfer means for removing pinsfrom their row formation in the magazine and arrange them in triangularplaying vformation for delivery to pin holders in `similar formation tothe pin setter which deposits the pins on the alley bed. A furtherobject is to deliver pins from the pit of a bowling alley .to a magazinewhere they form a, vertical aligned series-and utilize means fortransferring Ipins out of 'alignment and placing them in predeterminedplaying position on the alley bed. f

AAs is well known, the propersettingA of pins u pon the bed of a bowlingalley necessitates the accurate spotting of the pins lso that they areconcentric with the spots. This accurate setting of the pins causes thepins to assume the proper positions, when starting the game. Itfrequently happens that after one'or more balls are thrown, and some ofthe pins knocked down,v that the remaining standing pins have beenstruck sufficiently so that they are shifted laterally and are notconcentric with the spots. In 'order that the bed may be swept to removethe pins which have been knocked down, it is necessary to remove thestanding pins to permit of the sweeps ing andssubsequeptvreturning ofthe standing pins to the precise positions which they previouslyoccupied,regardless-wf Whether'they have been somewhat displaced. y

Attempts have heretofore been made to produce a pin setting apparatus,but these have not proven to be wholly satisfactory. One reason why theyhave not proven wholly satisfac- Y tory is that as a rule they cannotproperly engage the pins standing to raise them, if such pins-areeccentric with respect to the spots on the bowling alley bed and returnthe' pins to the precise positions which they occupied before vbeingraised. A further disadvantage is that these pin'setters have mechanicalor magnetic means to engage with the pins of a type which hasV resultedin very complicated structures, which commonly required modification ofthe pins or werevery sensitive to bruised or battere condition of thepins. n f

An important object of nw invention is to providethe apparatus of theabove mentioned character having pin setting means Whichwillproperlyengage with the standing pins, regardless of Whether they are occupyingpositions concentric with the spots or have been shifted laterally sothat they are oil' center with respect to. the spots and raise the pinsfrom the bed, to permit of the sweeping of the bed, and return the pinsto the precise positions previously occupied on the bed.

A further object of the invention is to provide suction means, toproperly handle the pins, whether concentric or eccentric with respectto the spots on the bed.

A further object of the invention is to provide means to accurately setthe pins upon the bed of the alley, raise the remaining standing pins-Vafter the ball has been thrown, and'then accurately reset such raisedpins in the true positiois which they-previously occupied upon the be Afurther object of the invention is to provide the apparatus of the abovementioned character which is automatic in operation, and set into actionby the throwing of the rst ball, to raise the remaining standing pins,sweep the bed, and -then reset or spot the elevated pins upon the bed,provided a strike has not been made.

A further object of the invention is to providen the apparatus of theabove mentioned character which is automatically set into action whenthe second ball is thrown, to sweep the bed, and set the required numberof pins upon the bed, and

properly spot the same.

A further object of the invention is to provide means to set .theapparatus into operation, when a strike is made, which will cause theapparatus to function to sweep the bed and set the required number ofpins upon the bed, without stoppi for the throwing of the second ball.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for controllingthe operation of the sweepflaring cone as it engages an on center pin onthe downward or resetting movement. Reference is made to said patent,for further details of this type of suction'resetter.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate the same or like elements:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus v embodying my invention;

ing mechanism, so that it will function at proper intervals in sequencewith the setting or resetting means.

A further object of the invention is to provide an elevator having pinsetting and pin spotting means, and reversible to properly present thesame for action, thus affording a simplified construction. f

A further object of the invention is to provide means for feedingbowling pins for assembly in an aligned series and provide mechanismcoacting therewith to engage with head ends of pins for assisting in thefeeding and assembly of such pins.

Other objects andadvantages of the invention will be apparent during thecourse of the following description.

While I have disclosed one type of suction resetting device, which has arange of action suflicient to pick up off-center pins and replace them Ain same oli-center position, it is obvious that centralizing effect bythe pin on the downwardly Figure 1a is a side elevation showing amodiiication of the ball and pin return;

Figure 1b is an end elevation on line Ib-Ib of Figure 1a;

Figure 1c is an end view of a detail of the pin transfer spirals showinga modified form of pin t head positioning plate;

Figure 2 is a plan view on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan view on line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 3a is an end elevation on line 3ft- 3a of Figure 3;

Figure 4 is an end elevation of the apparatus on line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure, 4a is an end elevation on line let-Ia of Figure 1a;

'Figure 5 is a detailed section through a .combined suction and exhaustvalve, showing the, same in the lower closed position;

- Figure 6 is an enlarged plan view of the pin elevator;

Figure 7 is an enlarged elevation of the same;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the elevator inverting means or track;

Figure 9 is a cross-section of one of the gates in the elevator track;

Figure 10 is a cross-section of another elevator track gate, partsbroken away;

Figure 11 is an enlarged cross-section of one'4 of the valve devices`shown inl Figure 1;

Figure 12 is a yside elevation for the supporting .device for one sideof the elevator, with an associate valve;

Figure 18 is an elevation of the same, parts in section;

Figure 19 is a plan the resetting suction device or unit:

Figure 20 is a side elevation of the same, parts in section;

Figure 21 is a side elevation of the elevator or carriage approachingthe uppermost position, in the act of receiving the collected pins forrespotting after the player has ilnished his turn and all pins have beenswept from the alley;

Figure 22 is a similar view, showing the elevator`or carriage in thelowermost position, in the act of resetting the pins left standing afterthe rst ball is thrown and raised by the elevator for sweeping of thealley;

` Figure 23 is a central longitudinal section through the suctionoperated ball pick up means; Figure 24 is a detailed top view of thetransfer rail tilting means, on line 24-24 of Figure 21;

Figure 25 is a diagram of the electrical connections for. automaticallyoperating the ball lifting mechanism;

view of a modified form of' Figure 26 is a diagram of the electricalcircuits for automatically operating the pin spotting and resettingelevator;

Figure 27 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the relative positions ofthe switch segments and the elevator or carriage, during one cycle ofoperation of the apparatus;

Figure 28 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the positions of theelevator or carriage during of an alley (Figures l to 4 inclusive),having the usual' spots 4|. At the forward end of the bed 48 is a pit42. The numeral 43 designates partitions, one of which is provided withthe usual ball return track or runway 44. The numeral 45 designates thebowling pins.

The apparatus for each alley comprises a pair of spaced vertical groovedtracks or guides 46, which are preferably U-shaped in cross-section. Theupper ends of the vertical tracks' are rigidly attached to a stationaryhorizontal structure 41 and their lower ends are rigidly attached to thepartitions 43.

Each grooved track 46 is provided `with a laterally extending portion 48(Figure 8) including an upper branch 50 and a lowerbranch 5l, connectedby an intermediate curved portion 52. The upper and lower branches 50and 5I are inclined vertically and diverge toward the vertical track 46.Each vertical grooved track 46 is also Y provided with a third laterallyextending grooved branch 53, which leads into the grooved track 46inwardly of and near the upper end of the branch 56 and also leads intothe portion 48 adjacent to the curved intermediate portion 52. The upperbranch D also leads into the outer end of the branch 53, adjacent to thecurved portion 52, and the pivoted gate- 55 is arranged to control thepassage of the roller from the branch 5l into the branch 53. 'I'he gate55 is pivoted at 56 adjacent to its upper end. The gate 55 is forcedinwardly by a spring 51. This gate has a stop shoulder 58 at its lowerend (Figure 9). It is thus seen that a roller traveling downwardlythrough the branch 50 will depress the gate 55 and pass the same toenter the lower branch 5I, but when this roller travels upwardly throughthe branch 5I,

' it will engage the stop shoulder 58 and be deected thereby into thebranch 53.' A gate 59 is pivoted at 60 and has a stop shoulder 6l and isarranged adjacent to the union of the branch 53 and the track 46. Thisgate is spring-pressed and is similar to the gate 55 and will serve topermit the roller traveling upwardly through the branch 53 to enter thevertical track 46, but will prevent the roller entering the upper end ofthe branch 53 when it moves downwardly. in the track 46. Another pivotedgate 62 is arranged adjacent to the union of the upper end of the branch5D with the track 46 and has a stop shoulder 63. This gateisspring-pressed and similar to the gate 55. This gate 62 will deflectthe' in the track 4s beneath the gate sz, it will de- I .press this gatea'nd move past it to the upper pori the pipe 20 tion of the track 46.Arranged at the junction of the lower end of the branch 5I and the track46 is a two-way gate 64, pivoted at 64 and having a spring catch 65'(Figure 10), to releasably hold the gate in the pivoted position. Y

The apparatus further embodies an elevator, carriage or carrierdesignated as a whole by the numeral 65, see more particularly Figures 6and '1. This elevator or carriage comprises an intermediate rectangulartubular frame 66, conslsting of sides 61 and ends 68. The numeral 69designates a tubular triangular setting frame, including a base 16 andsides 1l, which converge, as shown. .A pipe 12 is connected with themiddle of the base pipe 18 and the forward ends of the conv rgingtransverse pipes whichconnect 2 with the convergingpipes 1I. It will beunderstood that all portions of the bores of the tubular triangularframe 69 are in communication with each other. The triangular tubularframe 69 is placed upon'one side of the intermediate frame 66, upon theupper side thereof in Figure 7 and connected therewith, and the bore ofthe tubular frame 66 is in communication with the bore of the tubularframe 69 through the medium of pipe couplings 15 at the center of sides68. Arranged upon the opposite side of the intermediate frame 69 orbeneath the same in Figure 7, is a triangular resetting frame rollerfrom the grooved track 46 into the upper 16, which comprises a. basepipe 11, and converg- -ing side pipes 18. A pipe 19 is connected from tthe middle of the base pipe 11 to the joint of the side pipes 18, andintermediate transverse pipes 86 are connected with the pipes 18 and 19.The resetting frame 16 is rigidly connected with the intermediate frame66 but its bore has no communication therewith. Attention is called tothe fact that the base of the setting frame ss is arranged adjacent tothe apex of the setting frame 16 and vice versa.

The setting frame 69 carries suction devices 6| (see particularly Figure16) for engaging with the head ends of the bowling pins. These suctiondevices are arranged to correspond with-the arrangement cf thebowling'pns, when placed in the spotted position upon theA bed of thebowling alley, except that the base of the group of suction devicesbefore the carriage or elevatorv is inverted is positioned next to theplayer, so that the converging end of the group o1- suction devices.will

be arranged next to the player when the elevator orcarriage is inverted,in a manner to be described. Each suction device comprises a exiblesuction cup '82, secured to a tubular nipple 83,

`in communication with the bore of the tubular setting frame 69. Thesuction cups 82 are preferably formed of rubber and are of a suitablesize to fit over the end portion of the head end of the bowling pin 45.The nipple 83 has a passage 84 adapted to establish communication be-Abowling pin 45 passes into the suction cup, that the valve 85 is closedwhereby the suction within the bore of the setting frame 69 is nottransmitted to the suction cup, but as soon as the head end ofthebowling pin enters the suction cup 02, sulclently so that the suctioncup may have proper holding engagement therewith, the stein 06 is movedinwardly to contact with the head end of the bowling pin and the valveis opened,

whereby suctionis now transmitted to the interior of the suction cup 82,which will have proper holding action with the head end of the bowlingIpin25; Each suction device is preferablyl provided with a wire guard orstabilizing device 01,

which is rigidly attached to the setting :frame 69" adjacent to thesuction device. Thisv guard is tapered-andincreases in diameteroutwardly and is preferably adapted to suitably engage vwith theintermediate or body portion of the bowling pin, to hold the sameagainst any perceptible tilting action with respect'to the suction cup,

cludes a ring 98 and resilient rods 89.!The ring 89- is `of a greaterdiameter than the ead end of thepinxbut of a smaller diameter than thelargest diameter of the pin, and the ring will engage'the pin insertedtherein in an inverted position, at a point above its center of gravity,

1 whereby the pin will automatically assume a verspotted for playing.Each suction device 90 comprises a cylindrical shell 9| (Figure 18)rigidly attached to the frame 16 and having its bore in communicationtherewith. The shell'9l is preferably cylindrical and is provided withnip. 'ples 92 arranged in rows (as shown) whereby- 'they are preferablyarranged in triangular groups of three throughout the entire area of thedevice. A suction cup 93 formed of rubber or the like has `a shank 93which is mounted upon the free end of each tubular` nipple 92 andpreferably has a coil spring 94- embedded. therein, to impart movement.'I'his spring 94 may also be arranged upon the interior of the shank93', if desired. A valve device 95 is mounted in each tubular nipple 92and includes a spring pressed valve body, adapted to be opened by astem. 96, con- `nected with the valve body and arranged within thesuction cup 93.` It might be stated at this \.when the carrier isinverted. The guard inever, since the effective suction area oftheresetting or spotting suction device is considerably larger than thehead end of the pin, it will properlyengage with the head end of thepin, if the pin is eccentric with respect to the spot. As the resettingor spotting suction device engages the head end of the pin, threesuction cups 93 will at all times engage therewith, and their valveswill be unseated so that the three suction cups will have holdingengagement with the head end of the pin. y This is true if the pin isconcentric with its spot or eccentric with relation thereto for only aslight distance, or for a considerable \distance. In Figures 17 and 18,the suction cups suction cups always engaging the head end of j to theshank a suitable stillness against lateral point that, before thesuction cup is brought into engagement with, or in proximity to, vthehead end of the pin, the valve body of the valve device 95 is closedtherefore cutting olf communication between the interior'of the shell 9|and theinterior of the suction cup V93. However, when the head end ofthe pin is moved into the suction cup 9 3, it engages and moves the stem96 unseating the valve body, whereby the suction is transmitted from theshell 9| to the suction cup 93.V

scends in resetting or spotting the pins, in a manner to be described,the shell 9| is concentric with respect to the corresponding spot, whilethe pin is eccentric with respect to the spot. How- 75' the pin, the pinwill be suspended in a truly vertical position, vwhen being moved fromand toward the bed of the bowling alley, thus rendering it possible toreturn the pins to the precise position on the bed that they occupiedbefore being lifted therefrom, regardless of whether the pin 45 wasconcentric or eccentric with respect to the spoton the bed. Theinvention is not restricted to the employment of three cups 93 in agroup, as any other suitable number of cups may be used, when properlyarranged in the group. y

The elevator or carriage 65 is arranged between the two tracks 46 (asshown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4). The elevator is mounted upon horizontal.trunnion 99 (see Figures 8 and 12 to 14). The trunnions 99 are rigidlyconnected with the sides 61 of the rectangular frame 66 by couplings |00and are journalled in bearings |0|, which are rigidly bolted to plates|02, in turn rigidly secured to vertically movable carriages |03. Thesecarriages travel upon the outer sides of the tracks 46 and have guiderollers |04. The carriage is raised by cables |05, and lowered bygravity when the cables are paid out.

Rigidly connected with the outer ends of the trunnions 99 are cranks|06, carrying rollers |01 at their free ends and these rollers areadapted -to travel within the grooved tracks 46 and their severalbranches, in a manner to be described.

Means are provided to supply suction to the bore of the setting frame 69comprising a valve structure |08 (Figures l2, 13 and 14) rigidly mountedupon a disk |09 having a port I|0 lead- .YI |1. The valve body ||2 isrigidly mounted upon a rock shaft 8 having a crank H9 rigidly securedthereto. This crank is provided with a trip extension |20, having aspring-pressed knee joint |2| (Figure 15). Disposed suitably near andspaced from the bed is a stationary stoplor trip |22 (Figure 13) rigidlysecured to the track 46. This stop is located laterally inward withrespect to the crank H9 so that it will engage with this crank ||9 andnot with the trip exriage or elevator is inverted and moves downwardlyto place the bowling pins upon the bed 43, that crank I|3 will be swungupwardly by the stop |22 and the valve body ||2 turned so thatcommunication will be broken between ports ||4 and I 5 and port ||4placed in communication with port IIB, as shown in Figure 12. Arrangednear the end oi' the upward travel of the elevator or carriage is astationary stop |23 (Flgure 12) also rigidly attached to the track 45.lThis stationary stop |23 is out of the path'oi.' travel of the crank||3, but in the path of travel of the trip extension (as shown in Figure14). The suction has been cut oil from the setting frame 55, when itreached its lowermost position, and when the elevator or garriage risesand reaches the uppermost position, to receive a further. set of pins,the trip extension |20 breaks downwardly and assumes a position abovethe trip |23. .When the carriage or elevator again moves downwardly toreset the pins, trip extension |20 will engage stop |23 and swing crank||3 upwardly, which will turn the vaiveibody II2 so that port ||5 willcommunicate with port ||4 through the medium of port ||3 (as shown inFigure 13).

Means are provided to supply and control the suction to the resetting orspotting `frame 16, including a flexible hose |24 which is connectedwith a valve structure |25. I'he hose |24 is connected with theresetting frame 15 and has communication with the bore of the same.Attention is called to Figures 5 and 22, for the description andoperation of this valve structure |25. The valve structure |25 isstationary yand. is supported at a suitable elevation from the bed by anarm or bracket |25 (Figure 1). This valve structure includes a casing|21, having avmain bore |23 and oppositely arranged suction ports |23and |30. The port |23 is in communication with the ilexible hose |24,while the port |30 is in communication with a hose |3I. Mounted to slidewithin the bore |28 is a reciprocatory valve body |32, having a shoulder33 to limit its downward or inward movement. The downward movement ofthe valve body 32 is effected by a spring |34. The valve body |32 has atransversesuction port |35, adapted to register with ports |23 and |30.This valve body also has a longitudinal exhaust port |35, having alateral extension |31, adapted to communicate with the port 23. The

. valve body |32 is raised by a crank |33having a pin and slotconnection therewith, and this crank is formed integral with a segmentalratchet |33 (Figure 22) mounted to turn upon a pivot |40 carried by abracket |4| rigidlymounted upon the arm |23. Pivoted upon vthe bracket|4| at |42 is a gravity operated dog |43 carrying the roller |44. Thisdog is adapted to engage with the teeth of the segmental ratchet |33 andto also drop behind the shoulder |45 of the same. An arm or support |45rigidly mounted upon the setting frame 53, carries a trip |41, which mayl be rigidly secured thereto. Rigidly connected with the arm |45 is avertical arm |43 provided at its upper end witha guide socket |43,receiving the upstanding link provided at its upper end with a dog ortooth |5|. This link is pivotally mounted, at its lower end, upon thearm |45 f (as shown at |52), and is swung toward the seg'- mentalratchet |33 by means of a spring |53.

, It might be well to state the operationof the valve structure |25 andassociated elements at this point. When the elevator or carriage is inthe intermediate position, the valve body |32 is in the lowermostposition (Figure 5), and is hunted in its downward movement by theshoulder |33. -Buction is now cut on from -the hose |24 as the valvebody covers ports |23 and |30. Assuming that one ball is now thrown andsome of the pins remain standlng.'the elevator moves downwardly, theresetting or spotting suction devices being now in the lowermostposition so that these suction devices engage the head ends of the pins,and at or shortly after this engagement the dog 5| of the link |50engages the segmental ratchet |33 and turns the same one step, so thatthe parts assume the position shown in Figur. 22. The valve body |32 isnow elevated and port |35 connects ports |23 and |30 andsuction lstransmitted to the suction cups. When the elevator rises and returns toVthe intermediate elevated position, the suction |41. lUpon the4elevator reaching the end. of its upward movement to the intermediateposition, the sweeping action occurs. After the sweeping action thepins'must be reset and the elevator.

returns to the lowermost position. When this action occurs, the dog |5|again engages the segmental ratchet |33 and turns it another step, and

the pawl 43 drops behind the shoulder |45 but still holds the segmentalratchet |33 against reverse turning movement, but the-roller |44 hasbeen projected into the path of travel of the trip |41. During thisaction the crank or arm |38 has been further elevated. and the valvebody |32 is now further raised and assumes its uppermost positionwherein port |35 is out of communication with ports |23 and |30 and theexhaust port |35 has its transverse extension |31 in communication withthe port |23. Suction is cut off from the hose |24 and this hose placedin communication with the atmosphere. The elevator begins to Irise andthe suctiondevice will leave the pins reset in their former positions onthe bed, but when the `trip |41 reaches the roller |44, it will engageyit and swing the pawl |43 upwardly to release the segmental ratchet 33.The spring |34 will immediately return the valve body |32 to itslowermost cut-oi! position (as shown in Figure 5), and when trip |41passes above and disengages the roller |44, the pawl |43 will engage thesegmental ratchet |33 one tooth ahead of its last position and the partsare restored to the starting positions". y- .4 y

Means are provided to collect the pins after :5 theyl are knocked down'and reed them to an e1evated position, so that they are transferred tothe setting suction device, as will be described. This means comprises atiltable tray or platform |54 (Figures 1 yand 3), -pivotally supportedat |55 and swung to the normal position against a stop |51 by a spring'|53. In this normal position the tray is slightly inclined toward itsforward end. Arranged near and above the forward end of the tray is aswinging bumper |50. This bumper preferably has its surface horizontallyinclined and tapered toward the left side of the bed 40. When the tray|54 is tilted, this tiltedv position of the tray combined withtheinclination o! the bumper |53 will cause the ball to roll to the leftside of the bed. Further, the tiltable tray |54 may be inclinedlaterally toward the left side The tiltable tray |54 is Amounted withinthe pit 42 and a stationary tray |30 is disposed near and forwardly ofthe pit 42 and is supported by -`a.

73 bracket I3! or the 4When the tray |54 is and when the pin p ings |64formed in buckets |65 also having teeth |66, the two sets of teethinterfltting as shown. 'I'hese buckets are adapted to pick up the pinswhich roll forwardly upon the forwardly inclined stationary tray |60.The buckets |65 are pivaia-:aise

tached to the lower portion'of the hopper, at the passage |88 and ifdesired the metal of the hopper may be bent about these rails. Thehopper may constitute the supporting means for the track or additionalsupporting means may be provided for the same if desired. A basket |95is arranged beneath the first flight |9| to catch any chips or otherparticles which may fall from the pins supported on this flight.

Means are provided to aid in feeding the vertically suspended pins intothe last horizontal otauy mounted at their bottom and forward ends.

as shown at |61, in the ends |68 of bucket plates |69 which extendbetween and are attached to endless sprocket chains |10 included in avertical conveyor. Each bucket is swung upwardly with relation toitsbucket plate |69 by springs 1|, the bucket plate serving as a stop tolimit the upward movement of the bucket, which is generally horizontallyarranged upon the upwardly traveling run ofthe endless conveyor. Inorder that the pins may not pass beyond the upward traveling run of theendless conveyor, a stationary stop |12, supported by brackets |12a ispositioned between the sprocket chains |10 and is arranged near andslightly above the stationary tray |60.

The bucket is so constructed that the pins will fall upon their sidestherein. At their lower ends` the sprocket chainsV |10 pass aboutsprocket wheels |13 carried. by a shaft |14 arranged in bearings |15. Attheir upper ends the sprocket chains pass about sprocket wheels |16rigidly mounted upon a. horizontal transverse shaft |11 with journaledbearings |18. The driving. means for the shaft |11 will be describedlater. These bearings are carried by a horizontal frame |19.

Arranged near and beneath the frame |19 is a second horizontal frame |80within which is mounted a stationary hopper |8| (Figures 1 and 2). Thehopper |8| includes an upper portion comprising vertical sides |82 and avertically inclined bottom |83, the forward end of this upper portionbeing open. The forward end of the bottom |83 is inathe path of travelof the free ends ofthe several buckets |65, and as each bucketapproaches the hopper it'is tilted downwardly upon its pivot |61 and thepins dropped into the upper portion |82 of the hopper. This stationaryhopper further comprises a lower portion |84 having a rear inclined.side |85, a forward inclined side |86 and inclined ends |81 providing anelongated opening or passage |88 through which the pins gravitate.Arranged beneath the lower portion |84 of the hopper is a stationarygravity operated pin track |89, including@ pair of spaced rails or rods|90. These rods are bent'so that the. track includes straight flights|9I, |92 and |93 and curved portions |94 connecting these straightflights (see ,'Fig'ure 2). The track is inclined throughout its entirelength excepting through the straight endflight |93, which ishorizontal. The pin will, therefore, move longitudinally of the track bygravity and feed into the horizontal flight |93. The distance betweenthe rails or rods |90 is greater-than the diameter of the head end ofthe pin\and less than th dy diameter of the pin gravitate to a verticalposition, with the butt end up. The rails |90 in the first flight |9Iare at-v ses upon these rails it willflight |93, so that this flight maybe filled with pins in contacting relation. This means comprises rotarybeaters |96 formed of leather, canvas or other material, which issufficiently stiff to advance the pins but is flexible enough to yieldwhen the pins are positively held against advancing movement. Thesefeeding elements or feeders are mounted upon vertical shafts |91journaljed in bearings carried by brackets |98. These shafts areconnected so that they rotate in opposite directions by the crossed belt|99 engaging pulleys 200 rigidly mounted upon the shafts |91.

- One shaft |91 projects above the other and is driven continuously, aswill be described. The flight |93 has a stop' 20| to limit the feedingmovement of thepins.

Transfer means 'areprovided to lift the ten pins from within the flight|93 and coact with the elevator to transfer these pins into the wirebaskets s1 of the setting frame ss. This transfer lmeans comprises atransverse horizontal rock shaft 202, journaled in bearings carried bystationary arms 203 (Figure 21).

Arranged beneath and rigidly mounted upon the rock shaft 202 to turntherewthjs a No. l pin rail 204; a No. 2 pin rail 205; a No. 3 pin rail206; a No. 4 pin rail 201; a No. 5 pin rail 208; a No.6 pin rail 209; aNo. 7 pin rail 2|0; a No. 8 pin rail 2li; a No. 9 pin rail 2|2; and aNo. 10 pin rail 2|3 (Figure 2). Each of` these rails is invertedT-shaped in cross section. The railv204 is straight and terminatesadjacent to the shaft 202; the rails 205 and 206 are straight andterminate some distance rearwardly of the shaft 202; the rail 201 isstraight and terminates rearwardly of the rail 205; the rails 208 and209 have laterally bent rear ends and terminate rearwardly of the rail206 in line with the rail 201 and the remaining rails 2|0 to 2|3 havelaterally bent ends terminating rearward of the rails 201, 208 and 209,in the positions shown. The rear ends of the several rails terminate inpositions corresponding to the triangular group arrangement of thebaskets 61, when the elevator reaches the uppermost position, the baseof the triangular group being arranged rearwardly with respect to thebed, and the elevator being inverted upon its downward travel so thatwhen the pins are set on the bed, the base of the triangular group willbe arranged forwardly with respect to the bed. Mounted to travel onthese several rails are carriages including yokes 2|4, each of which hasa pair of spaced wheels 2|5 to run upon the horizontal web of the rail.Each rail is provided at its rear end witha stop 2|6 to engage with thewheels and limit the rearward movement of the carriage. The carriageshave suction cups 2|1 suspended therefrom by tubular stems 2|8 and aflexible suction hose 2|9 is connected with each stem. These severalexible hoses 2|9 are connected with a common rigid pipe 220, supportedby arms 22|. This pipe 220 has connection with a valve structure 222which is connected with a hose 223 feeding to a source of suction. The

valve structure comprisesa reciprocatory valve body 224 (Figure 21)having a transverse suction port 225 and an exhaustl port 226.V Thevalve body is held in the raised position by a spring 221 so that thesuction port 225 connects the pipe 220 with the hose 223. When the valvebody is depressed, the exhaust'port 226 is placed in communication withthe pipe 220. The valve body is depressed by a pivoted lever 228,arranged to be v engaged by alateral extension of the setting frame 69,when that-frame reaches its uppermost position.

Means are provided to rock the shaft 202 and tilt the several railsrigidly mounted thereon; comprising a ratchet wheel 229 (see Figures 21and 24) which is rigidly mounted upon the rock clined position with theforward end lowered, and the several carriages will gravitate toward theshaft 202. This ratchet wheel is engagedvby a pawl 230 pivoted at 23| toa gear 232 having teeth 233 to engage with teeth 234 of a stripped rack235. The stripped rack operates within guides 236 and 231, and the rackis moved down- ,wardly by a compressible coil spring 238. The

rack 235 is moved upwardly by an arm 239, rigidly secured to theintermediate frame 66 (as shown inFigure 6) It might be well to reviewthe operation of the rock shaft 202 and associate elements at thispoint. The rock shaft 202 may be assumed to be in the normal position,whereby the several rails carried therebyare slightly inclined forwardlyand their suction cups 2 I1 will contact with the butt ends of the rowof pins held within the straight night-|93. The valve body 224 is nowinthe active position so that suction is applied to these cups 2|1,which have holding engagement with the pins. When the elevator 65 risesand approaches the rock shaft 202, the arm 239 engages the lower end ofthe rack bar 235,v

now in the lowermost position, while its teeth 234 mesh with the teeth233. The rack bar is raised by the elevator and turns the gear 232, andthis forward ends of the rails to be a row directly over the pins in theAiiight |93 of pin track |89. Suction is not again' applied to the cups2-|1 until the elevator begins to descend and has traveled downwardly asufllcient distance so that the lever 228 is freed by the extension 10'of the settingV frame (Figure 6). Y

Means are provided to pickup the ball after it is thrown upon thetiltable tray and transfer the same to the ball return runway 44.l Thismeans comprises a vertical cylinder 24| supported by a stationaryhorizontal arm 242 (Figures 1 and 3). Arranged within the cylinder 24|in spaced concentric relation thereto is an inner cylinder 243 producinga passage 2,44 (Figure 23). This inner cylinder has openings 24S-formedtherein 250. The inner cylinder 243 has its upper end covered by a head25| having a reduced port 252,-much smaller in cross sectional area thaneither of the openings 245. The top ofthe outer cylinder 24|. is alsocovered by the head 25|. 'I'his head has a large transverse port 253 incommunication with the passage 244 and with a tubular nipple 254connected to a exible hose 255. The cylinder 24| is arranged over thelowest point of platform |54. The exible hose 255 (Figure l) isconnected with a valve device 256,

also connected with a flexible hose 251, which 40"`leads to a source ofsuction. The valve 256 (Figmotion is transmitted to the ratchet wheel229 by the pawl 230. The ratchet wheel turns the rock shaft 202 and theseveral rails are tilted or inclined so that their rear ends are loweredand their opposite'ends raised. The carriages run down the theninclinedrails and assume positions directly over the several wire guards 81. Thefurther upward movement of the carriage causes thetoothed portion of bar235 to leave the teeth 233 of gear 232-but the weight of the pins. issufficient to retain the rails in the inclined position. The lower headends of the pins are now directly over the wire guards 81. As theelevator continues to rise, the lowermost pins contact first with thesuction cups 8.2, and the rails are turned inopposite directions untilthey are again substantially horizontal, at which time the head end ofthe pins engage with all ofthe suction cups, andvsuction will be appliedto the head ends of the pins within the cups 82, as explained. When the.carriage reached the uppermost position and the rails becamehorizontal, the valve body 224 was depressed and the, suction cut oifrom the several suction cups 2|1 and the suction cups connected withthe atmosphere. In this uppermost position, the carriage remains untilautomatically set into action by the throwing of the second ball,

This spring returns the rails, to the normal inf ure 1l) has a main boreto receive a reciprocatory valve body 258 having a transverse port 259to register with port 260-of valve casing 256 when Y the valve body 258is moved inwardly, in oppowhich is pivoted at its upper end, as shown atV258 projects outwardly beyond itspcasing and is.

arranged to engage with a vertical cam lever 263,

264, to a stationary support 265. 'Ihe cam lever has an intermediatestraight raised portion 266 and depressed end portions 261 and 268.vArranged near 'and upon one side'of this cam lever is a vertical rackbar 269 operating within suitable stationary guides v210 (Figurel) Thisrack bar carries an arm 21| pivoted, thereto at 212 and arranged above astop 213, which is fixed to the rack bar. The arm is moved downwardlyinto engagement with the stop by-a spring 214. The arm 21| carries aroller 215 to engage with the cam lever. It is thus seen that when therack bar 269 moves upwardly-that the arm 21|. being prevented fromturning downwardly upon its pivot by the stop 213, will lcause itsroller'215 to shift the cam lever 263 toward the valve 256 and therebycause port 258 to establish communicaton with port 260, therebyconnecting hose 255 with hose 251. 'I'his communication is maintainedwhile the roller engages the straight raised portion 266 of the camlever, and is broken when the roller engages the depressed portions 261and 268, at which timespring .26| will return the valve body to theexhaust position. When the rack bar moves' downwardly, the lever 21|turns upwardly and its roller will not depress the cam lever 263. 'I'herack bar 269 is engaged by a'V pinion-216 driven by a reversible motor211. This motor is connected in a circuit including a'switch 218 'whichis closed when the tiltable tray |54 has its forward end swungdownwardly. A reversing switch 219 is also connected in this circuit,and is adapted to be engaged by a trip arm 280 when the rack bar reachesthe .end of its upward level.

The suction cup 249 and tubular rod 248 are arranged to travel through aspace between leaves 28| (Figures` l, 3 and 3a). These leaves arepivoted at 282 to swing horizontally outward upon stationary tracks orsupports 283 and are urged inwardly by springs 284. These leaves haveinclined jaws 285 depending therefrom and .diverging downwardly to beengaged'by the lifted ball and to thereby separate the leaves. When theball has passed to the top ,of these leaves, the latter return to theirinward position and the ball is released and rolls rearwardly upon theleaves, since they are slightly longitudinally inclined forwardly, andthen-passes into the transverse portion 44a of the ball return raceway44. The numeral 286 designates a stopelement to limit the rearwardtravel of the ball when passing from the leaves 28|. f

.The operation of the ball pick-up and transfer means will now be given.'When the ball is thrown and passes upon the tilta-ble tray |54, with orwithout pins falling thereon, Vthe tray is tilted and its forward enddepressed. When this occurs the switch 218 is closed and the circuit forthe motor 211 is closed and the mo-A tor started. The motor now operatesto elevate the rack bar 269, and arm 21| travels upwardly and depressesthe raised portion 266 of the cam lever 263 to actuatethe valve device256, so that the hose 255 is placed in l`.communication with hose 251.When this occurs, suction is transmitted through the hose 255 into theupper end of the outer cylinder 24|. Some of this suction is brokenthrough the port 252, .while cation with the atmosphere. The ball isfreed from engagement with the suction cup 249 `and will then rollrearwardly upon the inclined leaves and pass into the transverse portion44a of the ball return raceway. The continued operation of the motor 211brings the trip arm 280 into the suction also passes through the passage244,

and through port 245 to the cylinder 243 beneath the plunger 241. Theport 252 being now .in communication with the atmosphere, since,

the cup 249 has not as yet engaged the ball,

the suction beneath the plunger 241 is greater than the suction abovethe plunger and this increased suction is sufficient to overcome theaction of the spring 250 and moves the plunger 241 downwardly. By thistime, the ball has the bottom and this preponderance of suction combinedwith the action of the spring 250 will elevate the plunger 241. Thesuction cup 249 is accordingly raised and the ball is raised between thepivoted'leaves 281| and is supported above them and is placed upon theupper surfaces of the same as the leaves close. At about this time, theroller 215 on the rack bar 269 passes upon the depressed portion 268 ofcam lever 263 and the spring 26| of the valve 256 isfree to shift thevalve body -258 to its outer position thereby cutting off suction to thecylinder: 24| and placing this cylinder ir. communi- I device 306Aconnected therein and this valve deengagement with the reversing switch219 thereby flowering the rack bar 269 to its starting position.

Means are provided to sweep the pins knocked down after the rst ball isthrown and also after the section ball is thrown, if necessary. Thismeans comprises a suction device. including an outer vertical cylinder281 (Figures 1, 3, 4 and 22) rigidly mounted upon a stationaryhorizontal arm 288 and a tubular rod 289. The cylinder 281 is similar inconstruction to the cylinder 24|, in Figure 23, the rod 289corresponding to the rod 248 and all other parts being identicalexcepting that the spring employed, corresponding to the spring 250, issuiiciently heavy to raise the plunger rod 289 and all mechanism carriedthereby. This spring is the sole means for raising the-rod as the lowerend of the rod is permanently open, and when suction is transferred tothe interior of the cylinder 281, the rod 289 is shifted downwardly.Leading into the upper end of the cylinder 281` is a flexible hose 290corresponding to the hose 255. The

hose 290 is connected with a hose 29| which extends downwardly and isconnected with a valve device 292 supported on a bracket 291 attached toone of the guide tracks 46 (Figure The valve device 292 is connectedwith al 1). flexible hose 293 which leads to a source of suction. Thevalve device 292 includes a valve body 294. This valve device is.identical with the valve device shown in Figure l1, excepting that theexhaust port 262 is omitted. The valve body is held in the closedposition by a spring 295 and is shifted inwardly to establish com-Amunication between the flexible hoses 29| and 293, by a verticallyarranged cam lever 296. 'I'his cam lever is pivoted at 298 to astationary bracket fixed to track portion 48. A finger 299 looselymounted on pivot 298 is provided with a hook or tooth 300 furnishing acam surface 300', the nger passing through slots in track 46 andnormalls,r being held upwardly against a. stop portion of the track by asuitable spring 299:1. The

vice is connected with a flexible hose 301 leading to the source ofsuction. The valve device 306 is identical with the valve device 292 andincludes a spring-pressed valve body 308 (Figure l). This valve body isnormally` held by the spring in the closed position to break commu-`

